Director Peyton Reed Allays Fears That Ant-Man And The Wasp Will Stray Into Rom-Com Territory

The Peyton Reed sequel, which faces the somewhat difficult task of opening under the looming shadow of Infinity War this summer, is expected to take a leaf out of Black Panther‘s book in that it begins shortly after Captain America: Civil War– hence that meta line from Scott Lang in the sequel’s trailer.

On paper, it’s the perfect tonic to Avengers: Infinity War and its super-sized superhero smackdown, particularly as Peyton Reed has vowed to maintain the zippy humor and light-hearted fun that made the original so special. He’s also taken it upon himself to transform Hope van Dyne from a supporting character into a bona fide lead, beginning with the sequel’s title.

Via Empire:

It was important to me, in this movie called Ant-Man and The Wasp, that she’s not a supporting character. She’s a lead character. She’s become a fully-formed hero. She really was, along with Sue Storm of the Fantastic Four, one of the first female Marvel heroes. I feel a certain responsibility with The Wasp. This one explores the different generations of Ant-Man and The Wasp. I thought that was an interesting thing we haven’t seen in a Marvel movie.

And no, it’s not a romantic comedy. Perhaps the biggest question is whether Hope van Dyne needs Scott Lang at all? Here’s what Reed had to share:

It’s not a romantic comedy. The idea might enter Hope’s brain: does she need Scott Lang in her life?

That’s a question that will be thrust into the spotlight when Ant-Man and the Wasp makes a beeline for theaters on July 6th – exactly nine weeks after the arrival of Avengers: Infinity War.